The first permanent settlements of Northeastern North Carolina were made in the territory around the Albemarle Sound and rivers which empty into it. Settlers moved down from Virginia for religious freedom, as well as economic and agricultural pursuits.

Those settlers found that they could acquire "rich" land on easy terms and have large ranges for their livestock to graze. One such settler, Timothy Cunningham of Albemarle County, Chowan Precinct, bought 640 acres, (equivalent to one "square" mile), and aptly named it "Rich Square".

Northampton County, home to Rich Square and close to the Virginia Border, around the time of the 1700s - 1800s, was settled mainly by Virginians and some from Pennsylvania, most of them being Quakers.

Rich Square was found around the time of 1717, but was not actually incorporated as a town by the General Assembly of North Carolina until 1883.